Horizontal Stacking of Mineral Fiber Panels Using Comb Mechanisms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stacking large-area mineral fiber insulating panels are inefficient and require additional storage space, as they either cannot handle horizontal stacking or necessitate the use of multiple stacking tables, leading to increased complexity and time expenditure.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize special conveying elements and comb-like structures to rapidly and securely stack mineral fiber panels horizontally, minimizing time expenditure and eliminating the need for additional storage by using a sliding and retaining comb system to interlock panels into place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional plate stackers are used for stacking insulating panels, then vertical stacking is achieved, but horizontal stacking is not possible and additional storage space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking configurationVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The stacking table is designed with movable comb structures that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation. The combs can move between different positions to enable both vertical and horizontal stacking configurations, allowing the same device to adapt to different stacking requirements without requiring additional storage space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces horizontal stacking capability by adding a new dimension to the traditional vertical stacking approach. The comb structures can orient panels horizontally on the stacking table, enabling the system to handle panels in multiple orientations and configurations, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing storage area requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple stacking tables are used to handle horizontal stacking, then stacking versatility is improved, but device complexity and time expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking configurationVSAvoidnumber of stacking tables
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stacking table is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple stacking functions through its movable comb structures. The same stacking table can handle both vertical and horizontal stacking operations, as well as different panel orientations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized stacking tables and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The comb structures on the stacking table are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically reconfigure for different stacking operations. This dynamic capability enables a single stacking table to replace multiple static stacking tables, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If panels are stacked quickly without additional storage, then productivity is improved, but precise alignment and secure stacking become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking speedVSAvoidpanel alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The comb structures serve as intermediary elements between the conveyor system and the stacking table. These combs guide and align panels as they transition from horizontal conveyance to vertical stacking, ensuring precise positioning and alignment even during rapid stacking operations without requiring additional storage time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The comb structures perform preliminary alignment and positioning actions on panels before they are placed on the stacking table. By pre-aligning panels in the correct orientation and position through the movable comb mechanisms, the system ensures precise stacking alignment is achieved quickly without sacrificing accuracy for speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2155591B1Method and device for stacking plate-shaped bodies
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 GRENZEBACH MASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP2155591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2155591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2155591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for stacking plate-shaped bodies, comprising the following features: a) a plate-shaped body (2) is conveyed by a conveying device (3) to the region of the push comb (7); b) the push comb (7) pushes the plate-shapd body (2) onto a surface that consists of the front tablet comb (6) and the rear tablet comb (5); c) the retaining comb (8) prevents a return movement of the plate-shaped body when the front tablet comb (6) and the rear tablet comb (5) move apart from one another and controls the falling motion of the plate-shaped body (2) onto the plate stack. The invention also relates to an associated method and a machine-readable support provided with the programme code for carrying out said method.